Book SummaryFrames of Mind, by Howard Gardner

1-Page Summary1-Page Book Summary of Frames of Mind

People commonly view intelligence as a single trait: a general capacity for learning and problem-solving that can be measured in IQ points. However, in his groundbreaking book Frames of Mind (1983), Howard Gardner proposes that humans actually have numerous, distinct types of intelligence. He discusses seven in particular: linguistic intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, musical intelligence, spatial intelligence, bodily-kinesthetic intelligence, and intrapersonal and interpersonal intelligences. The book explains how each of these intelligences operates independently, has its own developmental trajectory, and can be impaired or improved separately from the others.

Gardner has...

Frames of Mind Summary What Is Intelligence?

Gardner begins by explaining his concept of what intelligence is—or rather, what an intelligence is, since he says that there are multiple intelligences. An intelligence is a person’s capacity to understand a certain kind of information, then use that information to solve problems. An intelligence also gives someone the potential to find or invent new problems, allowing them to create new knowledge by solving those problems.

This definition is in line with the commonly understood definition of intelligence. However, this common definition posits that intelligence is a single trait, meaning each person has a certain level of general intelligence that they use to understand and apply every kind of information. Gardner dissents to this, arguing that there are numerous intelligences, each handling different kinds of information, and that each person has all of those intelligences to varying degrees.

For example, one intelligence that Gardner identified is logical-mathematical intelligence. As the name suggests, people use this intelligence to solve mathematical problems. People also use it to create or discover new information, such as when Sir Isaac Newton and...

Frames of Mind Summary The Conceptual Intelligences

So far we’ve discussed intelligences in general terms, but what specific types of intelligence did Gardner identify?

(Shortform note: While this guide will discuss the seven intelligences that Gardner wrote about in Frames of Mind, it’s possible that other types of intelligence exist as well. In fact, Gardner himself later identified naturalistic intelligence—the ability to identify and work with natural things like plants, animals, rocks, and weather patterns—and added it to his theory.)

In this section we’ll discuss three types of intelligence that help you learn and apply conceptual knowledge (as opposed to helping you interact with tangible objects or other people). These three conceptual intelligences are linguistic intelligence, logical-mathematical intelligence, and musical intelligence.

For each of these, we’ll explain what kind of information that intelligence deals with, then briefly discuss why it meets (or fails to meet) each of Gardner’s criteria for intelligences:

• Has a specific core function or functions
• Deals with information that is encoded in...

Frames of Mind Summary The Physical Intelligences

In the previous section we discussed forms of conceptual intelligence, meaning intelligences that allow you to work with abstract ideas and concepts. In this section we’ll discuss physical intelligences, which allow you to interact with concrete objects and the world around you.

The physical intelligences Gardner identifies are spatial intelligence and bodily-kinesthetic intelligence. As before, we’ll explain what kind of information each one of those deals with, then discuss how it matches up with Gardner’s criteria for an intelligence.

Spatial Intelligence

The first of the physical intelligences is spatial intelligence. Its core functions allow you to recognize shapes and manipulate them in your mind (for instance, when you imagine rotating a couch to figure out if it will fit through a doorway), and to navigate your surroundings.

Unlike conceptual intelligences, spatial intelligence doesn’t have a specific language or set of symbols associated with it. However, any representation of shapes and forms—from a child’s drawing to a complex blueprint or schematic—could be considered a way of recording and sharing spatial information.

(Shortform note:...

Frames of Mind Summary The Personal Intelligences

The last category is what Gardner calls the personal intelligences. These consist of intrapersonal intelligence (understanding yourself) and interpersonal intelligence (understanding others).

Unlike the other forms of intelligence, the personal intelligences develop simultaneously and greatly influence each other, making them nearly impossible to separate. Therefore, in this section, we’ll discuss intrapersonal intelligence and interpersonal intelligence together.

Intrapersonal and Interpersonal Intelligences

Intrapersonal intelligence is your capacity to understand yourself, and to recognize and process your own feelings, motivations, strengths, and weaknesses. If you have high intrapersonal intelligence, you tend to be self-reflective, show strong metacognition (awareness of your own thought processes), and effectively manage your emotional states.

Interpersonal intelligence, on the other hand, is your ability to understand and interact effectively with others. This includes being able to recognize others' moods, temperaments, motivations, and intentions, as well as knowing how to respond in various social situations.

(Shortform note: Gardner himself...

Frames of Mind Summary Applying Multiple Intelligence Theory to Education

After discussing his theory about intelligence and the specific intelligences that he’s identified, Gardner explores some of the implications that his ideas could have for education. In this final section, we’ll discuss how educators could make intelligence profiles for their students highlighting their strengths and weaknesses, and how they might use those profiles to guide their teaching practices.

Assessing Students’ Intelligences

Gardner encourages educators to consider how intelligent their students are in each specific way, rather than just how “smart” they are overall. He argues that education is more effective when tailored to individual strengths and weaknesses, and such profiles would help educators make personalized plans for their students.

Thus, he suggests that educators develop ways to assess their students’ individual profiles. Rather than giving every student a battery of formal assessments—which would be time-consuming and stressful—Gardner proposes letting children do what naturally interests them, and observing their behavior. While observing, educators should consider which specific intelligences each game or activity relies on, and look for...

Shortform Exercise: Build Your Intellectual Profile

Now that you’re familiar with Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences, take some time to think about your own intelligences: what kinds of skills come naturally to you, and which you struggle with. Then, based on that profile, consider what skills or knowledge you should focus on learning.

Choose two or three intelligences that, in your own opinion, you embody most strongly. For instance, if you’re good with words, you probably embody linguistic intelligence; if you’re a talented athlete, you most likely have a high degree of bodily-kinesthetic intelligence.